die Befürchtung, -en
fear
Das Gefühl, dass etwas Schlechtes passieren könnte.
Definition & meaning
The noun Befürchtung refers to an expectation or fear of something negative happening. It describes a state of mind where one anticipates an unpleasant event, a misfortune, or a danger. It is often used to express a sense of foreboding or a "worry" that something specific might occur.
Common contexts include:
- The apprehension that a plan might fail: "Meine Befürchtung ist, dass es morgen regnet." (My fear is that it will rain tomorrow.)
- The suspicion that something bad has happened: "Es bestätigten sich die Befürchtungen." (The fears were confirmed.)
Grammar & Word origin
Grammar:
- Gender: Feminine (die Befürchtung)
- Plural: Befürchtungen
- Type: Noun
Word origin: The word is derived from the German verb befürchten .
- be-: a prefix often indicating the intensive or transitive application of a verb.
- Furcht: meaning "fear" or "dread." Etymologically, it relates to the act of fearing or dreading something specific (to "fear-for" or "fear-regarding" something).
Synonyms & antonyms
Synonyms:
- Angst (fear/anxiety)
- Sorge (worry/concern)
- Bedenken (doubts/reservations)
- Besorgnis (apprehension/concern)
Antonyms:
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Examples
Seine Befürchtung hat sich nicht bestätigt.noun
His fear did not come true.
Die Befürchtung war unbegründet.noun
The fear was unfounded.
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